Book Review: 'The Fountains Of Silence'

 by Annie Jenkins

Over the Easter break I read a haunting and romantic novel called The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys. Sepetys is an internationally acclaimed author known for her historical fiction. She is known as a “crossover” novelist because her books are read by both students and adults. The Fountains of Silence is a relatively new book of hers and was published during 2019. The Fountains of Silence is set in 1950s Spain where Sepetys characters live in a post Civil War world which is still under the dictatorship of Fransisco Franco. 

Daniel, is the son of an American Texan oil executive and is visiting Spain with his parents whilst his father is there for business. Daniel may be an “americano” but he can speak fluent Spanish due to his mother being Spanish. Being a photojournalist is what we learn to be Daniel's dream which his father disapproves of and instead is fixed on his son taking over the family oil business. Throughout his time in Spain Daniel carefully photographs what he sees and he soon starts to see facist Spain clearly through his lens and begins to capture the truth. 

It’s not just his camera who helps him see Spain as it truly is but his hotel maid, Ana, who has been assigned to his family whilst they stay at the Hotel Casellan Hilton. Ana’s family have been hugely affected by Franco's reign due to the fact they were a part of the resistance against him. Ana and the rest of her family live in constant fear and silence. However, once Ana and Daniel become familiar with one another she wants to tell him everything and speak of the secrets of Spain but she knows she shouldn’t as she needs to keep herself and her family safe and out of danger. Most importantly she cannot lose this job but will she be able to keep her head down and stay out of trouble?

Septeys has produced a delightful, fascinating work of historical fiction. Even though it is fiction, Septeys has undergone a huge amount of research to create this well crafted novel to make it historically accurate and as real as possible for the reader and has included quotes from articles, letters and speeches which are found between each chapter which gives us an inside American perspective to what was happening. Septeys has given us a chance to experience Spain post-war, the hardships they experienced and the scandalous secrets and mysteries of Spain. Though most of all Sepetys has given Spain and its people a voice and she has spoken the truth which went unsaid for decades. 

I would highly recommend The Fountains Of Silence if you enjoy a bit of historical fiction with a hint of romance and most of all if you are just looking for a good book to read this is the one for you.